In August, I wrote an article entitled 30 Signs You Were Raised by Frugal Parents. That article was inspired by my own parents’ frugality and by witnessing how a whole new generation of folks is instilling some of those same money-saving and self-sufficient ideals in their kids.

Whether it’s fueled by economic uncertainty or just the growing realization that there’s more to life than stuff, there seems to be a quiet resurgence in simplicity that’s encouraging to watch. I think some of the wisdom, tongue-in-cheek humor, and nods of understanding that readers saw in those 30 signs can help us all embrace who we are and the traditions we came from, and learn the value in passing on that spirit of frugality to tomorrow’s parents. (See also: Frugality, Simplicity, and Sustainability)

So, in honor of all those frugal moms and dads of yesterday, here are 20 more tell-tale signs that you may have been raised by frugal parents.

See yourself in any of the above? Of course, these are just 20 random ways that our parents saved a few bucks and made ends meet. Surely there were hundreds (thousands?) of others that went unnoticed. Back in the day, saving money was less conscious strategy and more second-nature.

What money savings methods did your parents use that you may not have appreciated at the time, but have since come to respect? What do you find yourself doing unconsciously that identify you immediately as the lucky kid of a frugal parent?

Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.

Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

While yes, I totally see all of this happening in my life due to being raised by frugal parents, I see this more often: those raised by frugal parents rebelling, throughout life, and going to the extreme. I'm a bit moderate in this; I'm frugal about certain things, but like to purchase for quality (my mother is straight-up frugal but doesn't always buy for quality).

Mmhmm. My friends run the spectrum on their frugality levels (most of them were equally broke growing up), but I find myself in the frugal camp, yet firmly rebelling against my mother's hoarding. I simply will not live on a pile of garbage, e.g. wrapping paper unless it's seriously likely to be used for the many post-Christmas birthdays, butter containers (you don't need 10), hotel shampoos and conditioners (it helps that I work at one and could have as many as I wanted any time though), etc. It costs me more than it's worth to deal with that psychological weight 24/7 in the hopes that someday my clutter is going to help somebody. I'm paying for all the rooms in my house, so I need to be able to access them without fearing the avalanche.

Haha number 6 made me laugh out loud. My mother and aunt were famous for driving by yard sales and assessing the situation of items before deciding to stop or not. My mom also was amazing at turning a bunch of different leftovers into an amazing new hybrid-meal.

My mother was a single parent & taught me almost all of these. When I became a parent & then a single parent some of these helped me remarkably. But I think a favorite of mine was when my kids were little & I would take them to the Dollar Store & tell them to pick out one of anything they wanted. I didn't do it a lot, so when they got to roam the ENTIRE store it was thrilling for them. Not to mention it was almost like Christmas if I said they could get two things each. I'm willing to bet $$ (although it's not frugal to bet) that they will do the same thing with their children one day. When that happens I will smile.

Ha ha! My daughter cringes in the car when she sees things out by the curb, I do fly-by's at garage sales all the time, and there is no such thing as leftovers at my house, just meals...lol.
The kids REALLY hate it when they have to wait for a coupon, sale, cash back, etc. for something that they need or want...And I absolutely DO have a reward card in my wallet right now for a thrift store!

BUT...

It's all worth the eye rolls when one of them walks around the corner while I'm coupon shopping with my list at Target and says, "Mom...I like this lotion and I found it on clearance for 50¢...can I get it?", the answer is usually yes and wait, I have a coupon for that.

The greeting card one really got me because I ALWAYS check the back if I'm not shopping in the $1 section.

#13 - So true! To this day, my mom keeps jar beside the bathroom sink to hold all the soap slivers. She not only remakes larger bars from them, she also liquifies them and puts that liquid in a soap dispenser (the same one she's had for 20 year, of course!).

And #6...so accurate. I can make a quick decision on whether stop at a yard sale like nobody's business. When most sales end by noon, you have to be ruthless about this stuff! LOL

Great list, #14 is funny! After seeing my son scream and cry for his first haircut, I watched and emulated it for 20 years. Saved a bundle. Sewing curtains and getting things repaired saves big time. Being a stay at home mom saved us money over time. I've been able to get the kids fired up about learning and exposed them to world travel and all types of books. They both got scholarships. Thank God. There's a million ways to cut back. The best way is not to spend it in the first place.